A recent study 'Water fluoridation and dental caries in US children and adolescents,'1 published in the Journal of Dental Research, evaluated associations between the availability of community water fluoridation and dental caries (decay) experience in US child and adolescent populations.

The study showed that US children and adolescents with greater access to fluoridated drinking water were less likely to experience dental caries. Counties in which over 75% of the population had access to community water fluoridation saw a 30% reduction in dental caries experience in the primary dentition, and a 12% reduction in dental caries experience in the permanent dentition, compared to counties in which less than 75% had access to community water fluoridation.

The findings are consistent with evidence from the last half-century showing that community water fluoridation continues to provide a substantial dental health benefit for US children and adolescents. The current study boosts the evidence by showing that the benefit is most pronounced early in life, in the primary teeth of 2–8-year-olds.

'This study confirms previously reported findings and provides additional evidence in support of water fluoridation as a core public health intervention promoting oral health,' said Maria Ryan, President of the American Association for Dental Research. 'AADR supports community water fluoridation as a safe and effective, evidence-based intervention for the prevention of dental caries and this report further adds to that evidence base.'